How to Measure Up for a New Kitchen Without Professional Help

Measuring up for a new kitchen is absolutely something a capable homeowner can do — and doing it accurately upfront can save you thousands in costly mistakes down the track. With a good tape measure, a notepad, and a methodical approach, you can produce a sketch that your kitchen designer, cabinetmaker, or supplier can work from with confidence.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Gather these tools before you begin:

• A steel tape measure (at least 5 m long — fabric tapes stretch and are not accurate enough)
• A pencil and graph paper, or a free app like MagicPlan or RoomSketcher
• A spirit level (to check if floors and walls are truly square)
• A notepad for recording every measurement twice
• A torch or phone light for checking inside cupboards and behind appliances

Measure everything in millimetres (mm). Kitchen cabinetry is manufactured and specified in millimetres across New Zealand, and mixing units is a common source of expensive errors.

Step 1 – Draw a Rough Floor Plan

Start by sketching the shape of your kitchen on paper — it doesn't need to be to scale yet. Mark every wall, doorway, window, and any fixed features like a chimney breast or structural column. Note which direction doors swing open, as this affects where you can position cabinetry.

Label each wall A, B, C, D (clockwise) so your measurements stay organised.

Step 2 – Measure the Room

For each wall, take three horizontal measurements: at bench height (approximately 900 mm from the floor), at mid-height, and near the ceiling. Walls in older NZ homes — particularly villas and bungalows — are often out of square, so these three readings will reveal any bow or lean. Use the smallest measurement for planning purposes; you can always scribe cabinetry to fill a gap, but you can't compress a cabinet that's too wide.

Also measure:

• Floor to ceiling height in each corner and the centre of the room
• Window and door openings: width, height, and the distance from each side of the opening to the nearest corner
• Window sill height from the floor (this determines whether you can fit a cabinet below)
• Soffit or bulkhead depths, if present, as these limit upper cabinet height

Step 3 – Locate Services and Fixed Points

This is the most critical part of the process. Mark the exact position of:

Note: plumbing, gas, and electrical work in a kitchen is restricted work under New Zealand law. Moving a sink waste, relocating gas connections, or shifting power points must be carried out by a licensed tradesperson — a registered plumber or drainlayer (see the Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board) for water and waste, and a registered electrician (see the Electrical Workers Registration Board) for electrical work. You can measure where these services currently are, but do not attempt to move them yourself.

Step 4 – Check for Square

Most kitchens are not perfectly square. Measure both diagonals of the room from corner to corner. If the two diagonal measurements are equal, the room is square. If they differ by more than about 10 mm, your cabinetmaker needs to know — it will affect how end panels and corner units are fitted.

Also use your spirit level to check whether the floor is level along each wall run. A floor that drops 20–30 mm over 3 m (common in older NZ homes) will require packing under the cabinets to keep bench tops level.

Step 5 – Note Existing Appliances and What's Staying

If you're keeping any existing appliances — oven, fridge, dishwasher — measure their exact external dimensions (width, height, depth) and note the clearances required by the manufacturer. Standard NZ bench height is 900 mm and standard cabinet depth is 600 mm, but freestanding appliances vary.

Step 6 – Compile a Clean Dimensioned Drawing

Once you have all your raw measurements, redraw your floor plan neatly on graph paper (or digitally), showing:

• All wall lengths with dimensions
• Window and door positions with sizes
• Service locations clearly marked
• Ceiling height noted
• Any out-of-square or out-of-level conditions noted

Take clear photos of every wall, every service point, and any unusual features. Photos paired with a dimensioned drawing give a kitchen designer or supplier everything they need to quote accurately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Measuring only once — always measure twice and record both readings
• Forgetting the rangehood flue path — check what's above the ceiling if you're moving the cooktop
• Ignoring the fridge space — allow for door swing and ventilation clearance
• Not checking for hidden pipes or wiring inside walls before planning new penetrations
• Assuming walls are straight — they rarely are in NZ homes older than about 30 years

Do You Need a Building Consent?

Most kitchen replacements (like-for-like, same location) are exempt from building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004. However, if you're moving walls, changing the layout significantly, or altering structural elements, a consent may be required. Always confirm with your local council before starting work. The MBIE Building Performance website has useful guidance on what work is exempt.

When to Call a Professional

While measuring is a DIY-friendly task, there are situations where professional input pays for itself:

• Complex or irregular room shapes — an L-shaped or galley kitchen with multiple angles benefits from a quantity surveyor or kitchen designer doing a site measure
• Structural changes — removing walls or adding windows requires a Licensed Building Practitioner
• Relocating plumbing or gas — always a licensed tradesperson
• Electrical alterations — always a registered electrician

If you'd like a qualified local professional to check your measurements or manage your kitchen project, you can find tradespeople in your area at tradedirectory.co.nz.

Sources & Further Reading

• MBIE Building Performance – Schedule 1 exempt building work
• Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board – licensed practitioners
• Electrical Workers Registration Board – find a registered electrician
• Licensed Building Practitioners – find an LBP
• BRANZ – building research and good practice guides
• Bunnings NZ – tools and materials